But although they shouted at the top of their voices, they gave each other no offense.
Occasionally the mother asked: "Is it so, Pavel ?" And he answered with a smile: "Yes, it's so." "Say, my dear sir," the Little Russian said with a good-natured sneer, "you have eaten well, but you have chewed your food up badly, and a piece has remained sticking in your throat.

You had better gargle." "Don't go fooling now!" said Pavel.
"I am as solemn as a funeral." The mother laughed quietly and shook her head..